Pet food product containing probiotics

Abstract

A dried, ready-to-eat pet food product comprising a gelatinized starch matrix which includes a coating or filling which contains a probiotic micro-organism. The cereal product is in the form of a pet food. The product may be produced by cooking a starch source to form a gelatinized starch matrix; forming the gelatinized matrix into pieces; drying the pieces; and coating or filling the pieces with a carrier which contains probiotic micro-organisms.

We claim: 
     
       1. A dried, ready-to-eat pet food kibble comprising: a gelatinized starch matrix;   a lipid coating around the gelatinized starch matrix, the lipid coating including a probiotic micro-organism; and   a flavor coating including a protein digest.   
     
     
       2. A pet kibble according to claim 1 in which the gelatinized matrix is an extrusion cooked starch source. 
     
     
       3. A pet kibble according to claim 1 in which the coating comprises a carrier substrate which contains the probiotic micro-organism. 
     
     
       4. A pet kibble according to claim 3 in which the carrier substrate is at least one carrier chosen from the group consisting of a fat, a protein digest, milk solids, a sugar and a particulate flavoring agent. 
     
     
       5. A pet kibble according to claim 1 in which the probiotic micro-organism is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus subtilis, Bifidobacterium animalis/longum, L. johnsonii La1, Pediococcus acidilactici, Saccharomyces cereviseae, and Enterococcus faecium SF68. 
     
     
       6. A pet kibble according to claim 1 further containing a source of soluble fiber. 
     
     
       7. A dried, ready-to-eat pet food in the form of kibbles, each kibble comprising: a gelatinized starch matrix which includes a protein source,   a coating or a filling containing a probiotic micro-organism.   
     
     
       8. A pet food product according to claim 7 in which the coating or filling comprises a carrier substrate which contains the probiotic micro-organism. 
     
     
       9. A pet food product according to claim 8 in which the carrier substrate is a fat, or a protein digest, or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
       10. A pet food product according to claim 7 in which the probiotic micro-organism is selected from Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus subtilis, Bifidobacterium sp., Pediococcus acidilactici, Saccharomyces cereviseae, and Enterococcus faecium SF68. 
     
     
       11. A pet food product according to claim 7 further containing a source of soluble fiber. 
     
     
       12. A dried, ready-to-eat pet food in the form of coated kibbles, each kibble comprising: a gelatinized starch matrix which includes a protein source,   a coating of a carrier substrate which contains a probiotic micro-organism; the carrier substance being a fat, or a protein digest, or a mixture thereof.   
     
     
       13. A pet food product according to claim 12 in which the probiotic micro-organism is selected from Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus subtilis, Bifidobacterium sp., Pediococcus acidilactici, Saccharomyces cereviseae, and Enterococcus faecium SF68. 
     
     
       14. A pet food product according to claim 12 further containing a source of soluble fiber. 
     
     
       15. A process of preparing a dried, ready-to-eat pet food, the process comprising cooking a starch source and a protein source to form a gelatinized starch matrix containing protein; forming the gelatinized matrix into kibbles; drying the kibbles; and coating the kibbles with a coating which contains probiotic micro-organisms. 
     
     
       16. A process according to claim 15 in which the starch source and protein source are extrusion cooked; extruded through an orifice; and then cut into kibbles. 
     
     
       17. A dried, ready-to-eat pet food kibble comprising: a gelatinized starch matrix which includes a component chosen from the group consisting of inulin and fructo-oligosaccharides;   a coating containing a probiotic micro-organism.